In Huntsville, AL, try Big Spring Cafe (a true Dive). They serve the small old-fashioned hamburgers (extra grease if desired) that they only put mustard and onions on. There is one table and a bunch of bar stools. A must try also are their chili dogs and ketsup slaw dogs. Please put this one on your list and I know you won't be disappointed.

Not really a dive, but ready to play one for T.V. is the Red Wing in Walpole, Mass. It's actually a small old diner (maybe 20s?) with what looks like a roadhouse built around it. The diner portion serves as a bar for locals. The dining room probably hasn't been touched since the 60s, but that's okay because it has no decor. Famous for fried clams and bar pies (pizzas).

It's situated in the middle of a parking lot on Route 1 southbound, just south of Gillette Stadium. I've heard of fans who insist that if they don't eat clams at the Red Wing, the Pats will lose.

The restaurant itself is actually falling into Burden Lake. The roof looks as if it's about to collapse, and the floors are so warped that you could fall if you don't watch your step. And it is packed every single night between Memorial Day and Labor Day, closed the rest of the year. Some of the best pizza I've ever had.

Pick a Waffle House, any Waffle House (except, you won't find a fabulous food item).

Well, I have a little girl in my family who thinks Waffle House is wonderful and she loves their waffles. All patrons are well behaved and most of their restaurants are well maintained and with a cheerful staff so I will have to disgree with you on this one.

Greymo,

My original post was removed from this board without explanation. All I did was state an opinion about a restaurant that, in my opinion, fits the original poster's description of a dive to the letter. I said nothing to "flame" anyone, nothing slanderous, nothing directed at another poster...I said nothing but an opinion. It seems that anything negative said around here regarding a restaurant that one of the moderators enjoys gets summarily deleted. I thought this board was all about open discussion about restaurants and food?

Hey, Tonybad-Established in 1854, McSorley's only began to admit women in 1970, after being sued to do so in 1969. So ditching the girl was only your showing respect for this venerable institution's past.I became a regular patron (far too genteel a word for this place, actually) in early '71. The old-timers were NOT happy that I usually brought a girl, law or no law.I know others have reminisced about McSorley's on ROADFOOD, so I won't here. But is it a dive? You bet.

I also nominate:-The Hot Dog Ranch, in Pittsfield, MA. Down the block from Wahconah Park, a 100+ year-old minor league ballfield. It's dark, dank & proudly low-rent. Basically a crummy bar with really good hot dogs that I've described on ROADFOOD before, in a Berkshires thread.- The Pink Elephant saloon in Monte Rio, CA. On the Russian River in Sonoma County, it's been there since the 1930's, I believe. In the early '70's, there was a large section of the floor that was simply missing- you could see the river below. They may have had food, I really don't know. If it still exists, I expect it has not changed much.

Not really a dive, but ready to play one for T.V. is the Red Wing in Walpole, Mass. It's actually a small old diner (maybe 20s?) with what looks like a roadhouse built around it. The diner portion serves as a bar for locals. The dining room probably hasn't been touched since the 60s, but that's okay because it has no decor. Famous for fried clams and bar pies (pizzas).

It's situated in the middle of a parking lot on Route 1 southbound, just south of Gillette Stadium. I've heard of fans who insist that if they don't eat clams at the Red Wing, the Pats will lose.

No decor is right. From the outside it looks like the stereotypical "dive" too. Would work for TV. Better clams at Bubbling Brook on corner of North St. and Rte 109 in Walpole however. It too has been around forever but looks like the ice cream place it is, not a dive. Fred

The Mousetrap in Rte 9 in Latham, NY, there used to be a place in Latham, NY named the 'DITLIGAF' the best name ever for a dive bar/tavern/restaurant. There is also a place in Troy Rd. East Greenbush, NY called Mother's Hide-away (locals call it the Slide-away)

Al's Place in Locke, CA - Best known for their steaks. As a matter of fact, when I walked in, I hadn't even been seated yet and they asked me "How do you want your steak cooked?". If there is a menu here, I still haven't seen it. It is reviewed on the site and the pictures say it all. http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=155

Cole's P. E. Buffet in Los Angeles - It has been round since 1908 and they are best known for their French Dip sandwich, which I believe they claim to have invented.

Two other places that if they aren't dives, are certanly divish are Goldyburgers in Chicago and The Windmill in Stratford, Connecticut

Great concept for a TV special! Sure hope it gets made. My 2 nominees would be:

Whitey's in Arlington, VA (if it's still in business; haven't been there in several years). Classic working man's bar in an older area of DC suburbs.

Paul's Deli in Williamsburg, VA. Definitely a college feel to it, but otherwise fits all your definitions for a dive. Top-flight food with some great sandwich creations and wonderful onion rings. Right on the main drag in the "burg," Richmond Road (US 60).

Effies tavren in lewiston, ID. The Anytime travern, also in lewiston. And the Pastime Tavern in genesse, ID. The Pastime is over 100 years old, and the others are both over 30 years of age. All are known for LARGE burgers. The Pastime also does A BBQ'd pribe rib once a month. All are loaded with chachter and great food and cold beer.

A great dive is in St. Petersburg, Florida called the Crab Shack. It is at least 30 years old and has the freshest seafood you'll ever eat. Great "old" decor. If you need more information, let me know.

I went to one of Bobbie and Lee McWright's brisket and butt classes and thought of nothing but BBQ all the way to Covington....went hunting and drove past it 3 times. It is a portable building in a strip mall parking lot. Ribs, fried fish, and if I remember right, chopped sandwiches. It is take away only and there were about 10 or 12 of us standing around waiting for our orders...good stuff, ribs were tasty, slaw and potato salad were good too. I'll try them again next time I'm in the area.

There is also a place in Troy Rd. East Greenbush, NY called Mother's Hide-away (locals call it the Slide-away)

I'm from East Greenbush, NY, and was only able to get to Mothers a couple of times. It was a biker bar/restaurant. It was located down a steep muddy dirt driveway, and you took the chance you would never get out. Especially in the spring. I remember hearing alot about the place in high school, as it was the place only the "toughest" and "coolest" kids ever went to. The joint lasted much longer than anyone expected. It had pretty good cheap pizza if I remember correctly. I things its a BBQ place now.